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Mark Englund, Vice President of Design for Hanson Builders, Inc., writes a weekly article for the Associated Press Home Design section. Below are copies of his weekly articles.
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| January 9, 2008 |
Stairway to Heaven |
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Stairways are a means of getting from point A to point B, but they are also an opportunity for style and design excitement, as illustrated in this photo. In fact, this stairway makes the room come alive, with its cherry railings and decorative hammered iron balusters. The great room feels eight feet wider by visually incorporating the stairs compared to a room that walls off the stairway. A loft high above the great room is incorporated into the visual space by its open railing as well. |
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| Dec 5, 2007 |
Peekaboo! |
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Modern home design intentionally tears down walls to share views, light and spaces between rooms. But not the entire wall. This design leaves dramatic arches with pillar supports between rooms to add style and panache, while opening up the kitchen to the adjacent dining and great rooms. The result is a peek from one space to another and beyond. Notice that the kitchen has no windows. It doesn't need any, since it has views through these nearby rooms to entire walls of windows for views and light. The kitchen island view also enjoys the fireplace and TV of the great room, and conversation of the snack bar. If you are considering remodeling your existing home, tear down the walls, but leave some stylish arches and columns for definition of spaces without obstruction of views. |
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| November 22, 2007 |
Island Getaway
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Today's kitchen designs include an oasis island that is big enough for multiple stools that are perfect for conversation with arriving guests while keeping them out of the way of the kitchen work triangle for preparing food. This island also adds a bookshelf facing the breakfast room and great room to display keep sakes or cookbooks. The island is also painted to add interest and contrast from the cherrywood cabinetry. The island has become the heart of the home, where family catches up with each other after a busy day over a snack or homework. It is like a magnet, often drawing guests away from the living rooms. The result is a far less formal home design than in eras past, when we were afraid of letting our friends see a dirty pot or pan during entertaining. Home design evolves with society, and we're not about to kick guests out of the kitchen, so let's accommodate them with an inviting island. |
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